The Bowls Club in Finsbury Square is the City’s eccentric pop up that makes you feel like you’re anywhere but London. If you love it, why not nominate it for our Toast the City awards – find out how here!

Two formidably dressed judges – some poshos from the King’s Road – are engaging in fierce debate on a rather gorgeous green lawn. With their measuring tape out, they are bent over and staring at the grass, arguing over the difference of a few millimetres – which ball is closest, the red or the blue?

It might seem like small fry, but this decision will change the fate of someone’s day – whichever ball is closest to the jack — the white ball at the end of the lawn — will win, putting them one step closer to the famous Bowl-Off, the City’s most fiercely-fought competition. 

At the end of it, three of the Square Mile’s finest ball-rollers will lift trophies declaring that they are truly the best bowlers in the capital. No Employee of the Month accolade could come close.

Welcome to The Bowls Club in Finsbury Square, the City’s eccentric pop up that makes you feel like you’re anywhere but London. Alright, you might be surrounded by skyscrapers, but focus on what’s in front of you – grass, balls, posh judges arguing with one another – and you’ll feel as if you have rocketed to the Cotswolds.

We called it the best pop-up in the City last year, and we stand by that for 2026 – Bowls Club is the perfect balance between light sport and escapism, without pushing the competitive element too far.

Have some drinks, some great food (we love the pork ribs, which fall off the bone) then play your game of bowls, before returning to the main socialising area for a dance in front of the live DJ.

Taking over half of Finsbury Square, the atmosphere is festival-like. Whenever we’ve been down, we’ve found we bond with colleagues in new ways, because the event feels way more relaxed than the typical bar or pub set up (after all, science tells us green spaces soothe us.) And it’s super convenient being able to run around in a field and bring out our inner child so close to the office, too

The best way to experience The Bowls Club is via the packages available on the website. The Bowling in the Deep package costs £110 per person and includes four drinks, three hours of reserved space for exclusive use, bowls, and “high-end BBQ” food. There are three higher tiers, including The High Rollers package, which for £165 per person gets seven drinks, cocktails, food and five hours of reserved private use space. 

I came runner up when I went last week and quite frankly I’m fuming. If you want to take me on, meet at the green – I’ll fight you for that top podium spot. 

How to book The Bowls Club

The Bowls Club is running throughout June and July. There are still available lanes and packages on 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 June, and 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 July. 

• Find the Club at Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1RR, near Moorgate. Go to the website here to book or email events@thebowlsclubldn.com